Unlock Your Unique Path to Goal-Setting Success
Discover how to set goals that actually work for you—even if you’re tired of traditional plans.
Ever feel like goal-setting is either too much or not enough?
Some years, you set ambitious goals only to abandon them by March. Other years, you leave things open-ended and wonder if you’re doing enough. I’ve been there—and I’ve learned that the key isn’t finding the “perfect” method. It’s about finding what works for you right now.
Did you know that nearly 80% of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions by February?
We’re surrounded by advice about goal-setting.
SMART goals, vision boards, yearly planners, habit trackers… it’s a lot. The problem is, most of this advice assumes everyone fits into the same box. You’re told to set milestones and push through, even if it feels overwhelming or uninspiring. No wonder so many people feel stuck, burned out, or like they’re failing at something that’s supposed to help them succeed.
The truth? Not every year—or every season of life—calls for the same approach. And clinging to a method that doesn’t align with your current needs will only hold you back.
The Mastermind Experience: Lessons in Flexibility
For three years, I joined a mastermind group with my peers.
Part of the program was to set both weekly and annual goals. Weekly goals? No problem—it was easy to focus on a few small, actionable tasks. But annual goals? Those felt awkward. Some years, I created detailed lists and hit them all. Other years, I struggled to come up with anything concrete. Instead, I declared a vague “destination” and left the specifics open to allow me to achieve something.
At first, I worried I was doing it “wrong” when I didn’t have a structured plan (because everyone else was nailing it). But then I realized: Both approaches worked for me at different times. The structured years gave me clarity and focus. The looser years gave me freedom to experiment and pivot when something wasn’t working.
Each method served its purpose, and neither was inherently better than the other.
The Big Takeaway
Here’s the big takeaway: Your goal-setting approach should align with the season you’re in. Some years, structure and detailed plans will energize you. Other years, you might need the flexibility of a broader destination. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—but here’s a simple framework to help you decide:
Reflect on Last Year: What worked well? What felt overwhelming?
Assess Your Current Energy: Do you feel ready to dive into specifics, or would open-ended goals feel more freeing?
Choose a Direction: Pick one approach for the year ahead: structured milestones or a broad destination.
To show how this framework works, here are two examples from my experience:
The Structured Year: One year, I planned my goals and focused on building detailed systems. By the end of the year, those systems were saving me time and effort daily.
The Destination Year: Another year, I kept my goals loose and exploratory. That freedom allowed me to test a new business model, which ended up transforming how I am moving to a more creator business.
You don’t need a perfect plan to make progress.
Here’s how to get started:
Start Small: Choose one area of your life or business to focus on.
Experiment: Try a structured plan for one month and a loose destination for the next. See what feels better.
Reassess Regularly: Check in with yourself quarterly to see if your approach requires adjusting.
When you embrace flexibility in goal-setting, you’ll find unexpected rewards:
Confidence: You’ll trust yourself to adapt and make progress in your own way.
Freedom: You’ll let go of the pressure to fit into a rigid method that doesn’t serve you.
Clarity: By listening to your energy, you’ll make decisions that align with your goals and values.
Feeling stuck with your goals? Let’s figure out what approach works best for you. Schedule a strategy session today and start the year with clarity, focus, and direction—on your terms.
Remember: Progress doesn’t have to be perfect. Whether you’re planning every step or leaving room for exploration, the most important thing is to stay intentional and aligned with what feels right for you.
PS: Have a friend who’s stressing over their goals? Share this with them—it might be precisely what they need to hear.